Chemicals of Concern

PFAS Resources

What is PFAS? Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (“PFAS”), also known as “forever chemicals”, are a class of man-made chemicals used in countless consumer products that are most known for their material properties such as resistance to water, oil, friction, and increased durability. The strong carbon-fluorine bonds of PFAS make some of them resistant to degradation and thus highly persistent in the environment. Some of these chemicals have been used for decades in a wide variety of consumer and industrial products. 

Products used within the RV industry that may contain PFAS, include but are not limited to: textile articles, carpets, rugs, fabric treatment, furnishings, upholstery, flame retardants, adhesives, solar components, and semiconductors.

Both the Federal government and various state legislatures are taking action to require reporting and/or restrict or ban the use of PFAS in numerous products. In October 2023, the EPA finalized the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 8(a)(7) Reporting and Record Keeping Rule, which mandates the reporting of PFAS by the manufacturers or importers of PFAS or PFAS-containing articles in any year since January 1, 2011.

In 2024 eight states passed 9 bills that are of concern to the RV industry including Minnesota and Maine. Minnesota is the state of greatest concern because starting in January 2025, any RVs that include intentionally added PFAS (within 11 specific categories like carpets and upholstered furniture) will no longer be able to be sold in Minnesota. Whereas in Maine and California there are specific exemptions for certain products used in motor vehicles. 

We expect many more bills to be introduced in 2025. In the last several months we have developed a number of resources to help members navigate these rapidly developing and changing scenarios.

Below are a number of resources to help your company navigate the PFAS issue:

Overview:

• Federal and State PFAS Overview

State Resources:

• State PFAS Bill Tracker
• Overview Of Minnesota PFAS Reporting Requirements
• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency PFAS Prohibitions and Exclusions
• Overview of Maine PFAS Law

Federal Resources:

• Summary of EPA’s TSCA Section 8(a)(7) Final Rule
• TSCA Section 8(a)(7) Rule, FAQ (includes definitions) 
• Instructions for Reporting PFAS Under TSCA Section 8(a)(7)  
• Webinar Recording: PFAS Legislation And Its Impact On The RV Industry (members-only; login required)
• Webinar Recording: PFAS Regulations And Reporting (members-only; login required)
• Member Survey: Impact Of PFAS On The RV Industry

Please direct any PFAS-related questions to Sophie de la Torre, Senior Manager of Government Affairs, at sdelatorre@rvia.org.